The Asheville, North Carolina, community is mourning the death of beloved southern heritage advocate, coach, and army veteran, Harold Kenneth Edgerton, aka H.K. Edgerton.
Harold Kenneth Edgerton passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Asheville Veterans Administration Medical Center in his sleep at the age of 77, following a prolonged illness related to the COVID vaccine.
Born on February 18, 1948, in Asheville, North Carolina, to parents Roland Roger Edgerton, a Protestant minister, and Anna B. Edgerton, HK Edgerton devoted his life to being an American neo-confederate activist, a youth coach, and was also known for his service in the U.S. Army.
Edgerton, a proud graduate of Asheville High School of 1967, went on to serve in the U.S. Army during Vietnam as a Signal Corps Instructor at Fort Monmouth, NJ, 1969-1972.
He further graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1976 with a B.S. degree. While at college, Edgerton served as Chairman of the Board of the United Way Agency that was responsible for running the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis.
He also founded the University of Minnesota Black Student Center and served on the Student Regent Board of Directors.
Furthermore, H.K. Edgerton dedicated his life to improving racial issues through the Asheville chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he served as president.
He was known for his advocacy of Southern heritage and the Confederate flag and was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Prior to his recent passing, Edgerton was serving on the board of the Southern Legal Resource Center.
Additionally, H.K. was a member of Save Southern Heritage Florida, Veterans Defending Arlington, Honorary Scots of Austin, Honorary Life Member of North Carolina, and many more.
He also won numerous honorable titles and awards for his contribution to the Carolina community and his work as an activist.
Beyond his advocacy, Edgerton was known for his coaching journey and his contribution to the sports community.
He served as a volunteer and founder of the Boys and Girls Golf Team at Shiloh Community Center in Asheville, and also served as coach at Oakley Middle School girls’ and boys’ basketball teams.
Similarly, Edgerton was a teacher’s aide at Ira B. Jones Elementary School.
The passing of H.K. Edgerton has left a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and loved ones.
Many of his loved ones are sharing his memories on social media and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
One wrote:
“I’m saddened to bring the new that our Color Sargent HK Edgerton of the SCVRD passed away at 2pm today. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers 🙏
He was a strong will man and will truly truly be missed but he definitely reached soooooo many people in his time here on earth!March on into heaven brother we will keep watch from here 💜😢💜”
Another added:
“Today we are mourning the loss of our friend and brother-in-arms the Hon. H.K. Edgerton. H. K. was a man who spent his life devoted to civil rights from being a NAACP chapter president to helping defending Confederate History and bringing the role of Black Confederates to the forefront. He was a man who took to the streets, marching thousands of miles for his causes and he came to Lexington, VA more than once to march with us against spineless politicians. He was the definition of a Righteous man who could just as easily protect the downtrodden in the Black community as he could the rights of any white Confederate sympathizer. He is now before Hs Creator and will no doubt hear the immortal words “Well Done, my good and Faithful Servant.” In this age of divisive hate and spitefulness driven by wicked men, few could bridge the gap as well as H.K.”
The Stonewall Brigade-Sons of Confederate Veterans
Harold Kenneth Edgerton is survived by his brothers, Rashad Hasan of Stone Mountain, Georgie, Terry Lee Edgerton, his sister, Obra Elaine Hall, nieces, Danielle Hall, Shykita Hill, nephews Corey Edgerton and Darius Edgerton, and the entire family.
H.k. Edgerton’s contribution to the community and his kind nature will always be remembered. His family will soon provide details about his funeral and memorial services.
